In 2022 the Atlanta Falcons were in what is known as ‘Cap Hell’, meaning second-year general manager Terry Fontenot had little to no wiggle room to help improve the team. The Falcons carried over $62 million in dead cap, meaning about 30% of the salary cap was spent on players that were no longer even on the roster.
The 2023 offseason was the first time the new general manager, along with head coach Arthur Smith, could begin building and shaping the roster in a way they would like to with the freedom of the cap. With almost $64 million at their disposal heading into free agency, it was time for the Falcons to get to work.
Only the Chicago Bears had more money at their disposal than the Atlanta Falcons. However, instead of targeting the big names in free agency, the Falcons were very strategic and acquired players based on what they could bring to the team schematically.
Rebuilding the defense was a point of emphasis for the Falcons and understandably so, they ranked close to the bottom in almost every advanced metric on that side of the ball. In 2022 the Falcons’ defense had just 21 sacks, 31st in the league, they also allowed quarterbacks to have a rating of 95.7. A lack of pass rush coupled with inadequate coverage is a recipe for disaster.
The most important bit of business, however, was tying down All-Pro guard Chris Lindstrom, a cornerstone of that offense for years to come. Once that was taken care of, the Falcons made a huge splash, signing arguably the best defensive player available, safety Jessie Bates.
Pass rush and pass coverage go hand in hand, they help each other tremendously. A good pass rush helps the pass coverage because defensive backs don’t have to cover for too long and vice versa. The Falcons already boast one of the best young cornerbacks in the league with AJ Terrell, but when they traded for former 3rd overall pick cornerback Jeff Okudah to line up opposite Terrell, the Falcons made it clear what their priority was.
You would be extremely hard-pressed to find a defensive backfield as talented and as athletic as the Falcons. Terrell and Okudah go into the 2023 season as one of the best cornerback duo’s in the league, now you add Jessie Bates hovering around the middle of the field, quarterbacks will have a problem completing passes.
That’s not all the Atlanta Falcons did this offseason, they bolstered their front seven with experienced veterans that can improve this defense instantly. David Onyemata, Bud Dupree, and Calais Campbell to name a few. Players that will start day one and improve those around them.
Atlanta is still a work in progress on the offensive side, but wide receivers Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller can be very productive alongside stars Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
With over $10 million still remaining in cap space, the Falcons can continue to get even better. Depending on the progression of second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, the Atlanta Falcons can be a real dark horse in the NFC.